He kisses the top of my head before resting his chin on it. The sun slowly inches its way over the mountains, coating the world in an orange and purple glow.
Fucking perfection.
Chapter 25
Mike
Itmust’vebeenalong time since I took a Saturday off, two years at least, because Jon looked at me all surprised when I asked him. Then he shook his head, murmuring, “Well, finally,” before handing me a piece of the rhubarb crumble Sarah had made. Since my early teens, I’ve been working most weekends to help Mom out, and although it’s never bothered me, there are other things now pulling at me—orsomeone,to be more specific. Dennis, my boyfriend. Who still loves me. When he told me he always had… I have no words for how that made me feel after we just had sex for the first time. Just pure and utter sensation overload, like my body had trouble containing all those emotions coursing through me. Relief, joy, ecstasy, and also a little fear. Fear that it won’t last or he’ll change his mind. Fear that I won’t be able to keep him.
No, it’s time to stop going down that rabbit hole where I always expect the worst. I’m going to focus on the fact he’s giving me a second chance, and I’ll try not to waste it worrying.
Today’s a good day. Dennis is standing next to Mom at the kitchen counter, making egg salad sandwiches for lunch. They’re laughing andchatting like two long-lost friends, while I’m trying to rid Willow’s fur of some burrs. Dennis went running with her in the woods this morning, and half a dozen got stuck around her neck and on her belly.
“Next time, take the beach, okay ba—” Shit, I nearly dropped thebabyin front of Mom. “These burrs are a pain to get out.”
Dennis grins at me over his shoulder. “Sure thing,babe.” I’msogetting him back for that later. Luckily, Mom doesn’t seem to have noticed, or she pretends not to as she continues talking to Dennis. “So what are your plans for work, hun?”
“I’m still looking for a job, and that might take a while within my field, but I really want to start looking for a place of my own soon.”Yes, please.With both of us still living at home, it’s definitely starting to cramp our boyfriend style. Escaping through bedroom windows is massively overrated, that’s for sure.
“You should find a place together.” Mom beams first at Dennis, then at me. “Rent can be pretty steep here in Cannon Beach, so it makes sense now that you’re dating.”
Thank you, Mom. Great observation.
I look at Dennis, mortified to say the least, but he just grins at me, his brown eyes vibrant. Then he winks, which is equal parts obnoxious and cute as hell. “Great idea, Mrs. Tanner! We should totally look into that.”
“Anna, please. Mrs. Tanner makes me feel old,” she groans, adding some curry powder to the egg salad.
Dennis nods, “Anna.”
Willow whines as I pull out another burr stuck on her belly. “Mom, I don’t think we’re quite—”
“Did Michael ever show you that plot of land that he’s had an eye on? That place where he wants to build his own house one day?”
Dennis tilts his head at me, narrowing his eyes. “No, he didn’t.”
“It’s just a dream I have, nothing that’ll ever happen.”
“Sometimes dreams come true,” Dennis murmurs, a tender look in his eyes. I swallow as images of our night together in the tent and later under the stars flash before my eyes. Maybe he’s right. Maybe good things do happen if you dare to wish for them and believe in them. “You’ll have to show me sometime.” There’s a silent question in his eyes, and his voice is devoid of any hint of teasing when he continues, “I think it’d be a beautiful house if you ever decided to build it.”
Well, fuck me. Now I want to run down toHome Depotand stock up on building materials ASAP.
“Do you boys wanna eat outside? It’s lovely in the shade on the back porch.” Mom nods at the tray with plates, cutlery, a pitcher of lemonade, and glasses standing in the center of the kitchen island. “Honey, you wanna grab that for me?”
“Sure.” I pull the last burr from Willow’s fur, and she immediately makes a run for it before I pull out the brush. Bolting for the door to the backyard, she shakes her fur, stray hair flying everywhere. I stand and move toward the sink to wash my hands, and when Mom is busy arranging the egg salad sandwiches on a tray, I lean in and steal a kiss from Dennis. It’s just a quick peck against his cheek, but he immediately leans into me, and it feels life-altering, standing here in my kitchen, kissing my boyfriend.
“You’re cute when you gang up on me with my mom,” I mumble against his ear, a little too tempted to bite into his earlobe.
“You’re cute when you get all flustered,” he whispers back, eyeing Mom, before he leans in and presses a hard kiss against my lips.
“I don’t get flustered.”
“You do. And it’s sodamn adorable.”
“Do not.”
“Do too.”
Mom chuckles on her way outside, carrying the tray stacked with sandwiches and condiments. “You boys are just the sweetest,” she singsongs. “Too sweet.” She shakes her head, her ponytail swinging from side to side. “Now tell me again, what are your plans later? You’re meeting up with Aaron, right? Is he still with that lovely girl? What’s her name? Amanda, was it?”
